Columbus, OH Nursing Home Ratings

Overall Rating of 63 Nursing Homes Rating: 5 out of 5 (12) Much above average Rating: 4 out of 5 (10) Above average Rating: 3 out of 5 (8) Average Rating: 2 out of 5 (15) Below average Rating: 1 out of 5 (18) Much below averageAugust 2018

With a population of more than 835,000 individuals living in Columbus Ohio, nearly 70,000 of those are 65 years and older. More than twice that number of elderly senior citizens reside in the surrounding communities, towns and suburbs of Columbus. In fact, the number of retired residents in the Columbus area has risen significantly in the last 20 years, as have the number of nursing facilities, assisted-living homes and rehabilitation centers required to meet the growing demand for skilled nursing care. However, many crowded facilities are understaffed or staffed with improperly trained nurses, nurse’s aides and State Tested Nursing Assistants (STNAs) that have often victimized elderly residents in need of quality care.

Medicare releases publicly available data throughout the year on all nursing homes in Columbus, Ohio based on the data collected through investigations, surveys and inspections. Currently, the national database reveals that surveyors found serious violations and deficiencies at thirty-three (52%) of the sixty-three Columbus nursing facilities that resulted in substandard care. If your loved one was mistreated, abused, injured, harmed or died unexpectedly from neglect while living in a nursing home in Ohio, let our lawyers protect your rights. Contact the Columbus nursing home abuse lawyers at Nursing Home Law Center (800-926-7565) today to schedule a free case review to discuss filing and resolving a claim for compensation to ensure you recover your damages.

Columbus, Ohio Nursing Home Safety Concerns

The Columbus nursing home neglect attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center LLC take every legal step possible to protect the rights of all nursing home residents throughout Ohio. Our team of dedicated lawyers provide advocacy and support through every legal means necessary to stop the abuse, mistreatment, neglect and harm immediately. In addition, we publish publicly available data to inform the families of many of the safety concerns, opened investigations and filed complaints against nursing facilities statewide.

Comparing Columbus Area Nursing Facilities

The list below contains valuable information on nursing homes in the Columbus area that currently maintain one and two star ratings out of five possible stars. This information was accumulated by our Columbus nursing home attorneys from various sources including Medicare.gov that detail some of the primary concerns and ongoing problems with many of these nursing homes.

Information on Ohio Nursing Home Abuse & Negligence Lawsuits

Our attorneys have compiled data from settlements and jury verdicts across Ohio to give you an idea as to how cases are valued. Learn more about the cases below:

Failed to Provide Protection of a Resident against Sexual Abuse by Another Resident at the Facility

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 02/19/2015, a notation was made by a state investigator during an annual licensure and certification survey concerning the facility’s failure “to prevent resident to resident sexual abuse.” This deficient practice resulted in the immediate Jeopardy for a resident at the facility. On 02/09/2015, the Administrator, Director of Nursing and Corporate Registered Nurse were “notified that Immediate Jeopardy began on 01/04/2015 at 8:40 PM when [a female resident] who was in her bed with the call light on, was heard saying ‘No, No!’ and [a male resident] was witnessed by [a STNA (State Tested Nursing Assistant)]” sexually assaulting the female resident. The STNA also witnessed the male resident smacking the female resident prior to the incident on 01/04/2015.

Our Columbus elder abuse law firm understands that any failure by the facility to immediately protect the resident from any type of physical, mental, emotional or sexual assault could be considered abuse by the staff and administration. In addition, the deficient practice of not providing protection does not follow the facility’s revised August 2013 Abuse Protection Policy that states “that upon any knowledge of abuse, the facility will provide for immediate protection of the resident.”

Failure to Report an Incident to the Proper State Agencies Involving a Resident’s Injury of Unknown Origin

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 10/27/2015, a notation was made by a state investigator during an annual licensure and certification survey involving the facility’s failure “to thoroughly investigate an injury of unknown origin for [a resident at the facility who was reviewed for falls].” The deficient practice was noted because of a review of nurse’s notes revealed questions concerning a resident in the facility who underwent neurological checks on 10/02/2015 at 5:30 AM. “Further review of the nurse’s notes revealed [that] no documentation explaining why the neurological checks were initiated.”

A registered nurse was interviewed as part of the investigation on 10/27/2015 indicating that the resident had been “found in bed with a hematoma to her for head. [That registered nurse] stated the resident was not able to walk and could not have fallen because [they] would not be able to get back in bed unassisted.” The neurological checks were initiated because the registered nurse did not know “how the resident could have gotten the hematoma on her forehead.” However, the registered nurse “further stated that [they] forgot to document the incident and did not notify the Director of Nursing.”

This deficient practice is in direct violation with a January 2012 policy adopted by the facility titled Abuse Allegation Investigation and Reporting that states “an injury of unknown origin exists when the source of an injury is not witnessed and cannot be determined and the injury is suspicious based on the extent or location of the injury.”, The policy further indicates that “the incident was to be investigated and reported to appropriate agencies including the Ohio Department of Health.

This failure to follow protocol could be considered mistreatment or negligence on behalf of the medical team. In addition, it violates existing state and federal regulations.

Failure to Administer the Right Dose of Insulin at the Correct Time Which Could Place the Health and Well-Being of the Resident in Jeopardy

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 06/24/2015, a complaint investigation against the facility was opened for its failure “to maintain a medication error rate of less than five percent. The medication rate [for the facility] was 16 percent with four errors in 25 medication error opportunities.” This deficient practice directly affected to residents who have been prescribed insulin injections. The notation was made after an interview with an LPN who verified that “the medications were given late” and did not follow the resident’s physician’s orders. Not following proper procedures and protocols when administering insulin increases the potential risks to the residents receiving insulin that could jeopardize their health and well-being.

This deficit practice of not following procedures to administer medication appropriately could cause direct harm and might be considered negligence or mistreatment of the resident. It also violates state and federal rules and regulations.

Failure to Provide Timely Care and Treatment to a Resident in Pain with an Acute Change in Their Condition That Required Immediate Hospitalization

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 02/20/2015, a complaint investigation was opened against the facility for its failure “to provide timely care and treatment to [the resident] following an acute change in condition requiring hospitalization.” This deficient practice caused direct harm to one resident at the facility. The complaint investigation was opened in regards to a resident experiencing pain “in the evening and stated she asked for pain medication. [The resident] stated she had a history of [a redacted specific medical condition]. [The resident] stated she was crying in pain and was given a Fleets enema with no results. [The resident] stated she does not remember the events after 10 PM and stated she woke up in the hospital around 5 AM.”

“The resident stated the doctor told her that she had a perforated colon and could have died.” She was taken to surgery and had a portion of her colon removed. The investigator noted that “a review of the interact algorithm used by the facility staff revealed a resident with abdominal distention with tenderness required immediate transport to the hospital.” However, the Director of Nursing verified that the resident “was not sent out to the hospital for evaluation until [hours after complaining of pain].” The Director of Nursing also confirmed that the symptoms experienced by the resident “would have required immediate evaluation of the hospital.”

This deficient practice of not following protocol cause direct harm to the patient that resulted in hospitalization, evaluation and surgery. A Columbus elder abuse attorney understands that many of the steps taken and not taken by the medical team at the nursing facility could be considered negligence because they directly violate state and federal rules and regulations and the policies of providing quality care that were established or adopted by the nursing home.

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 06/03/2015, a complaint investigation against the facility was opened for its failure “to ensure [a resident] was free from sexual abuse.” This deficient practice caused direct harm to a female resident at the facility. The investigation was opened after it was revealed that a resident was alleging that a State Tested Nursing Aide (STNA) “had been touching her inappropriately on the breasts and only kissed her one time on the mouth using his tongue. She said [the STNA] would beg her to let him touch her breasts. She said she told him they were just friends and friends did not do things like that.”

The resident indicated that she had never mentioned the incident before, but her mother upon visiting and assisting her with a shower noticed “she was really red around her vaginally area and buttocks. She said her mother told the facility something had happened to her and that she had told her mom that [the STNA] was creepy.” This resident had also spoken with the facility’s Assistant Director of Nursing stating “the other employees would joke all the time and say there is your boyfriend.” While STNAs working in the facility have been interviewed and heard reports of the problem, they had never reported the information to the administrative staff.”

The deficient actions and inaction taken by the staff members involving a self-reported incident of alleged sexual abuse might be considered abuse or negligence by the administration, the facility and other staff members. In addition, the deficient practices of the staff members not taking action or reporting an allegation of abuse directly violate policies adopted by the facility and state and federal regulations.

Failure to Ensure the Medications Are Stored in a Manner to Provide Safety to Everyone in the Facility

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 04/16/2015, a complaint investigation was opened against the facility for its failure “to ensure medications were properly labeled and stored for [a resident at the facility who was observed during medication administration].” The deficient practice was noted during observation where an LPN was preparing medications for a resident. Upon administrating the medication, the LPN “walked into [the resident’s] room to administer the medications. [The resident] was not in the room at the time.

[The LPN] exited the resident’s room and returned to the medication cart with the medication cup” placing the medication cup with two different medicines “inside the drawer of the medication cart and closed the drawer. No cover was placed on the medication cup and no label with the resident’s name or medications was placed on the medication cup.” While nursing home policies require the disposal of the medications if not given to the resident for any reason, that policy was not followed.

The deficient practice of not following protocols directly violates facility policy that says that all “medication was not to be left in the medication cart in a medication cup unlabeled and uncovered.” This action by the LPN could be considered negligence because it has the potential of harming others in the facility and directly violates both federal and state regulations.

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 03/03/2015, a complaint investigation against the facility was opened for its failure “to provide a safe two-person transfer resulting in an injury during a shower transfer.” This deficient practice caused direct harm to a resident who “was transferred with one person assist and the incorrect lift resulting in a fracture of the resident’s left arm.” Additionally, a State Tested Nursing Aide (STNA) performing the transfer “failed to check the [resident’s] plan of care before performing the task with [the resident]. Further review of the resignation paperwork provided by the facility confirmed a stand up lift was used with one person assist during a shower provided by the [STNA].”

This deficient practice of not following procedures led to the direct harm of a resident at the facility who experienced a fracture of the left arm that required emergent care and hospitalization. A skilled Columbus nursing home attorney might consider a failure to follow policies and procedures established in the resident’s care plan negligence because the action directly violates federal and state regulations.

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 06/16/2015, a complaint investigation was opened against the facility for its failure “to ensure an accurate assessment and treatments were provided for [a resident with] undocumented stage II pressure ulcers.” This deficient practice directly affected one resident at the facility. The state investigator observed a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) “completing the physician ordered dressing on the [resident’s] pressure ulcer.”

The observation revealed four additional pressure ulcers on the resident’s right hip of different measurements. However, the LPN and the Director of Nursing “indicated they were unaware of the four additional Stage II pressure ulcers to [the resident’s] right hip.” During an interview with the Director of Nursing, it was “verified [that] the resident’s medical record did not contain an assessment or physician ordered treatment for [the resident’s] right hip.”

Failure to provide proper assessment, treatment and doctor’s orders of facility-acquired bedsores directly violates federal and state regulations and the policies adopted by the facility. Our Columbus nursing home law firm believes that this type of deficient practice to not follow proper protocols when assessing and treating bedsores could be considered negligence of the medical team at the facility.

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 02/12/2015, a complaint investigation was opened against the facility for its failure “to implement interventions to prevent the development of an avoidable pressure ulcer.” This deficient practice caused direct harm for a resident “who developed an avoidable Stage II pressure ulcer (Partial thickness loss of dermis presenting as a shallow open ulcer), to the right heel which progressed to an unstageable pressure ulcer (full thickness tissue loss with exposed bone, tendon or muscle).” The deficient neglect to follow procedures and protocols directly harmed the resident and allowed an existing pressure ulcer to degrade into a life-threatening unstageable bedsore.

This deficient practice could be considered negligence or mistreatment at the hands of caregivers and nursing staff at the Manor at Whitehall.

MCHS – Westerville140 Old County Line RoadWesterville, Oh 43081(614) 882-1511

A “For-Profit” 174-certified bed Medicaid/Medicare facility

Overall Rating – 1 out of 5 possible stars

Primary Concerns –

Failure to Provide Adequate Treatment and Monitoring to Ensure Existing Bedsores Do Not Degrade to a Life-Threatening Condition

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 12/04/2014, a notation was made by a state surveyor during an annual licensure and certification survey involving the facility’s failure “to monitor and re-assess residents with pressure ulcers to determine if the pressure ulcers were improving or declining until the ulcers [advanced to a] Stage IV or unstageable (blackened in color with necrotic tissue), and failed to ensure treatments were completed as ordered.” This deficient practice directly resulted “in Immediate Jeopardy for [3 residents who were living at the facility or had been discharged].” Failure to follow protocols indirectly affected eight residents currently at the facility with pressure ulcers.

In some cases, “treatment and monitoring were delayed for seven days and these ulcers declined to unstageable pressure ulcers.” In one case, a resident “was found with a suspected deep tissue injury on the left heel [and] no new treatment order was obtained [and] no monitoring was completed” and the ulcer was allowed to decline “to an unstageable pressure ulcer”, placing the health and well-being of the resident in grave danger.

The deficient practice was noted and considered a failure at the facility that might be negligence or mistreatment caused by the medical team.

Failure to Provide Adequate Supervision to Prevent Falls in the Facility

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 05/26/2015, a complaint investigation was opened against the facility for its failure “to provide supervision and ensure fall preventions were in place to prevent [2 residents at the facility] from falling.” The deficient practice resulted in one resident sustaining “a fractured hip.”

Failure to provide adequate supervision directly violates the facilities procedures and policies including the one titled: Falling Star Program. This policy was established in part to protect residents who are considered “very high risk for falls/frequent faller.” The policy reads that the resident is “not allowed to be up without assistance. Be on high alert. Check on frequently. Anticipate needs. Do not leave in bathroom by themselves. Does not consistently use call light.” The policy was established to “ensure that residents in our environment remain free of accidents and hazards as is possible. The facility will take proactive measures to prevent accidents and will respond aggressively should an accident occur. Residents identified as high risk with a total score of 10 or higher will have a fall prevention protocol initiated immediately and documented in the plan of care.”

Our team of Columbus elder abuse lawyers know that a failure to follow established policies at the facility that leads to residents falling could be considered a deficient practice or negligence by the staff. Additionally, this failure directly violates established protocols maintained by state and federal government agencies that regulate nursing facilities.

Failure to Hire Enough Staff to Provide Services That Allow the Resident to Maintain Their Highest Well-Being

In a summary statement of deficiencies dated 10/21/2015, a complaint investigation against the facility was opened for its failure “to provide [medical treatment] services according to the physician order” pertaining to a resident not receiving peritoneal care as ordered. As a result, the resident missed a urologist appointment. Upon interviews with the RN, LPN and Director of Nursing it was revealed that the lack of providing peritoneal care to the resident was the result of the unit being short staffed. During an interview, the resident “confirmed that on another occasion the [medical treatment] was late.”

Failure to provide adequate staffing could be considered a deficient practice, mistreatment or neglect by the medical team, administrators and supervisors. Additionally, not providing proper care directly violates established protocols and procedures set forth by state and federal nursing home regulators.

Common Warning Signs of Abuse and Neglect

A high number of elderly residents in nursing facilities become victims of abuse at the hands of their caregiver or other residents in the home. Many of the signs of physical abuse caused by a violent action or mistreatment, while other types of abuse involve sexual assault, emotional mistreatment or some form of mental harm. Sometimes, the abuse causes significant trauma that strips away the dignity and respect deserved by every human being.

Signs of neglect are often more difficult to see that physical abuse because it often involves a failure of the nursing home staff to provide proper and necessary care. Many incidences of neglect are the result of an undertrained or overworked nursing staff that provides improper medication management, minimal care or allows bedsores to the great to a life-threatening condition.

Common indicators of nursing home neglect or abuse often include:

Dehydration or malnutrition

Facility-acquired pressure sores

Frequent falling without facility intervention or change in the resident’s plan of care

Overmedication used for restraint because it causes drowsiness

Unexpected changes in behavior

Nursing staff that cannot sufficiently explain a change in the resident’s condition

If you suspect your loved one residing in a nursing facility has experienced any harmful condition listed above while residing at an Ohio nursing home, it may have been caused by negligence or abuse. Any indicator of abuse, mistreatment or neglect requires immediate attention to ensure that the incident is reported in agencies that can take quick action to stop the harm now.

The Columbus nursing home abuse attorneys at Nursing Home Law Center LLC provide immediate legal intervention to ensure all harm and abuse is stopped. Our dedicated victim advocate legal team can build a case for recompense to ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve. We encourage you to make contact with our Columbus nursing home abuse law offices today by calling (800) 926-7565 now to schedule your free, initial consultation.

For additional information on Ohio laws and information on nursing homes look here.

Jonathan did a great job helping my family navigate through a lengthy lawsuit involving my grandmother's death in a nursing home. Through every step of the case, Jonathan kept my family informed of the progression of the case. Although our case eventually settled at a mediation, I really was impressed at how well prepared Jonathan was to take the case to trial. Lisa

★★★★★

After I read Jonathan’s Nursing Home Blog, I decided to hire him to look into my wife’s treatment at a local nursing home. Jonathan did a great job explaining the process and the laws that apply to nursing homes. I immediately felt at ease and was glad to have him on my side. Though the lawsuit process was at times frustrating, Jonathan reassured me, particularly at my deposition. I really felt like Jonathan cared about my wife’s best interests, and I think that came across to the lawyers for the nursing home. Eric